Yep, yep, yep – the new year has come. I look at all that I let fall to the wayside last year. I look at the political landscape and the world in general. My response to both is “Oh my!” and not in the cool George Takei way. But we stand tall, shoulders straight, and we step forward to do what each of us can to make this world a better place.

Lost and discarded pets fill my Facebook news feed and I turn my attention back to where my education and advocacy began – the Wake County Animal Center (WCAC). I need to get back to my roots – taking pictures of pups to replace their crazy scared intake photos. Be sure and check back to see the sweeties looking for their furever homes in 2017.

In the meantime, let’s take a look at a couple of long timers who are looking for their perfect family.

Yes, she’s chilling out in a great foster home, but she’s been in the system since June 2015 and she really just wants a family to call her very own. Lady Bell is no slouch and is looking for a home where she’ll get lots of training and exercise. Her foster momma says some of Lady Bell’s favorite things are “playing with other dogs, running, wrestling with other dogs, playing in the water, belly rubs, treats and chew toys.” Here are few pics of her enjoying life.

Lady Bell

Lady Bell

Lady Bell

She does need a house rather than an apartment, and a good fence as she loves to jump. Also, small children and feisty cats are not a good match for her active, curious ways. So, if you’re looking for someone to do things with – agility, walks, runs, dock diving – contact Lady Bell’s foster momma at wcacfoster@outlook.com.

Being a Staffy fan, I just can’t resist this face. Junior is a 4-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier who has been in the shelter system since November 2015. He’s currently in foster care getting lots of love and heartworm treatment.

He has what I consider classic Pittie traits, loves lots of human attention and just being a couch potato until you bring out his tennis ball or dinner bowl. He can be shy, so he needs slow proper introductions with both humans and dogs and would probably do best in a quiet home.

Email the shelter to talk with her foster family and get all the great details.

Remember, when you’re looking for that new family member, check out your local rescues and shelters. The WCAC is open seven days a week from noon until 6 PM. You can start your search by checking out the gallery here https://pets.wakegov.com/.

*click on a pup’s name to go straight to their page on the WCAC website

I’m done with why. Why did this animal end up at the Wake County Animal Center (WCAC)? Why did their owner surrender this sweetheart? I’m done with it because the stories/reasons/excuses are either going to tear out my heart or make me want to punch someone in the throat.

Monday night I spent a little time with each of these darlings – falling in love with each.

Gladys (136850) – she gave me the Ruby look so I had to take her picture. She’s got a deposit – woo hoo! She’s super skinny and despite having just arrived that day she was all wiggles. She wasn’t looking for pets, just someone to be with her – and get a bite – and sit next to you – and get a drink – and come back to sit next to me.

Gladys (ID: 136850)

Gladys (ID: 136850)

Gladys (ID: 136850)

Gladys (ID: 136850)

Socks (136504) – a distinguished gentleman of 13 years looking to be your one and only fur baby.

Socks (ID: 136504)

Nesquick (136588) – a cute little girl just two years old looking for fun in all the best places.

Nesquick (ID: 136588)

Nesquick (ID: 136588)

Oh, my, gosh, Scrappy (136601) broke my heart when she pressed herself in the corner and would not come out. She’d gone from living in a back yard with her doggy sister to being alone in this weird smelling, loud place. She’s become a volunteer fav and is coming out of her shell.

UPDATE: Scrappy has gone to rescue!

Scrappy (ID: 136601)

Dusty (136527) – a lady of 13 years. Won’t you make her life whole again with a fureverfamily?

I get into ruts, whether it’s eating, exercising, or volunteering at the Wake County Animal Center (WCAC). I go to bed telling myself that tomorrow I’m going to do something.

Last night after work I went to the WCAC to take pictures of some of the newer arrivals. It’s what I can do. Sometimes, especially when you see all that others are doing, it can feel like you’re being a real slacker. You need to ignore that voice because the combined effort of all our little works will make this world a better place. So do something – anything – even that small thing of sharing this blog post to promote these precious ones looking for their furever homes.

Ebony is an adorable smallish dog who was surrendered yesterday because her owners felt they could no longer take proper care of her. She’s six and a half years old. She’s a bit standoffish, but I can see sweetness and cuddles just below the surface waiting to spring forward when she finds that furever family she can trust again.

Ebony (ID: 133619)

Ebony (ID: 133619)

Ebony (ID: 133619)

Ebony (ID: 133619)

Sis is just three months old. She and her Bro came in as strays so it will be a few days before they’re officially available for adoption. Such a sweet little thing, just looking for that furever person who will love and train her.

Sis (ID: 133648)

Such a happy girl! Pixie is two years old and a perfect sized Pittie mix. And who doesn’t love a redhead? You know, every picture I took of this girl was fabulous, except the ones where she was a blur happiness.

Pixie (ID: 133256)

Pixie (ID: 133256)

Pixie (ID: 133256)

Pixie (ID: 133256)

Pixie (ID: 133256)

Pixie (ID: 133256)

Bebop’s kennel card says “I Heart Treats.” She does. A five-year-old girl with a lot of bounce who loves treats. Just imagine all the cool tricks she can learn being so treat motivated.

Bebop (ID: 133548)

Bebop (ID: 133548)

Bebop (ID: 133548)

Bebop (ID: 133548)

Bebop (ID: 133548)

I have a friend who loves an underbite, so of course I had to take a photo op with Kiera. She’s seven years old and heartworm positive. She needs her furever family. I didn’t get a picture of her tail, but it just adds to her look of being part piggy.

Kiara (ID: 133420)

Kiara (ID: 133420)

Kiara (ID: 133420)

Kiara (ID: 133420)

Kiara (ID: 133420)

Looking for a cat, but don’t like cats? Asiago is the boy for you, ‘cause he don’t want no stinkin’ cats in his furever family either. He’s six years old, but still a total ham.

Asiago (ID: 120848)

Asiago (ID: 120848)

Asiago (ID: 120848)

Asiago (ID: 120848)

Asiago (ID: 120848)

Asiago (ID: 120848)

Saffie and Megan didn’t have much to say to me. Then again, if I was a cat who was surrendered just a couple of days ago at 14 years of age I don’t think I’d be greeting every big head that came up to my cozy little cubby either.

Saffie (ID: 133602) & Maggie (ID: 133601)

Saffie & Maggie have been rescued.

Saffie (ID: 133602) & Maggie (ID: 133601)

And I ended with an oddity, a kitten who didn’t have an adoption pending sign on his kennel card. It’s rather curious. He is a super cutie and was very intrigued by the feather toy I used to play with him. Jimmy is just eight weeks old and has the coolest whiskers and eyebrows!

Jimmy (ID: 133195)

Jimmy (ID: 133195)

Jimmy (ID: 133195)

Jimmy (ID: 133195)

Share my post. Go down to the WCAC. They’re open daily from noon until 6 PM. Click HERE and become a volunteer – somebody had to cuddle these sweeties. Like the Friends of Wake County Animal Center Facebook page to hear about all the little (and big) things you can do to be part of the solution.

Yes, you read that right. Last week I went to the Wake County Animal Shelter (WCAC) to take pictures of dogs for my own personal benefit. I just needed to get in there with pups that needed a bright shiny picture and a skritch under their chin.

Rugar (ID: 122221)

Look into those eyes.

Rugar (ID: 122221)

He is beautiful; a greyhound mix just nine months old and surrendered by his owners. He needs someone to take their time with him – let him come to you.

Rugar (ID: 122221)

Rugar (ID: 122221)

Rugar (ID: 122221)

Rugar (ID: 122221)

Rugar (ID: 122221)

Henna (ID: 122222)

Isn’t she beautiful?

Henna (ID: 122222)

Another sweetheart surrendered at five years old. She a retriever/border collie mix who weighs in at around 73 pounds. She already knows “sit” and took treats very gently.

Henna (ID: 122222)

Henna (ID: 122222)

Henna (ID: 122222)

Henna (ID: 122222)

Henna (ID: 122222)

Henna (ID: 122222)

Cash (ID: 122298)

The wiggle butt of the night.

Cash (ID: 122298)

He had been out in the play yard, but he was still full of that puppy energy and just a darling.

Cash (ID: 122298)

Cash (ID: 122298)

Cash (ID: 122298)

Cash (ID: 122298)

Cash (ID: 122298)

Sophie (ID: 122380)

Looking home.

Sophie is the one that breaks your heart. She’s a 10-year-old border collie/Aussie mix whose owner passed away. I just took a couple of quick snaps that night ‘cause she was too stressed out for any comfort.

Sophie (ID: 122380)

Sophie (ID: 122380)

Sophie (ID: 122380)

Sophie (ID: 122380)

As always, you can learn more about all the sweeties needing homes by going to the WCAC Adoption Gallery web page and browsing all those adorable mugs. You’ll find out particulars and some insights in their bios.

The WCAC is open seven days a week from noon to 6:00 PM. Stop by and find the love of your life.